Match Report

Reds win thrilling match in Castlewellan

Date Filed: 06 June 2008


Senior Hurling League
Castlewellan Vs Ballyvarley
 
            In the past Castlewellan has been an unlucky ground for Ballyvarley’s senior hurlers, a place where they could not buy a win. In recent years this has changed. Last week the Reds travelled to Castlewellan without six key players, yet despite this adversity and playing against a strong home side they hurled like demons to take all the points.
            The Reds started well with their defence on top yet despite some good interplay in the forward line the finishing just eluded the Ballyvarley forwards. Instead it was the green shirted home side that went into a three point lead, before Colm O’Neill laid off a pass to brother Paul to notch over a great point from wide on the right. Paul notched over another soon after as he dominated around the middle, before David McGovern got just reward for his good work upfront to lift the sliothar, turn and hit it from off his shoulder over the bar. A superb score. Paul Jennings and Paul O’Neill scored points a piece for opposing teams before the score of the match.
            A high ball into the Castlewellan box was met by the hurl of Jamie Murray, with his overhead doubling on the ball sending the sliothar to the net. A good solo run from Paul O’Neill a few minutes later, setup Conor Grew to point from an awkward angle to leave the Reds four points ahead despite playing against a strong wind. Ballyvarley were well on top with Eunan McConville winning everything on the left side of defence, with the whole defensive unit working very well collectively.
            A head injury to Paul O’Neill in the middle saw the Reds lose a bit of momentum, which was worsened by the loss of a poor goal in the minutes that followed. Castlewellan sensed an opportunity to strike a killer blow in this tie but credit to the Ballyvarley men they fought well reducing the home side to just three more points before the half-time break.
 
HALF-TIME:     Castlewellan 1-8                   Ballyvarley  1-5    
 
            The further withdrawal of Pat McGrath at the break due to an ankle injury was a blow to Ballyvarley, but they knew they had played well the first period even though they were a goal behind. They now had the wind on their side.
            David McGovern struck first for the visitors when he sent a beautifully struck 70 yard free over. The home side retaliated with two of their own, before Eunan McConville signalled the Reds desire to get back into the game with a surge forward out of defence and an excellent point from distance on the left wing.
            David McGovern really shone in this period enjoying a good battle with McCabe, the home sides half back. McGovern brought the forwards into it as the Reds looked dangerous every time they went forward. David was composed from place balls sending over another 70 followed by a 45 metre free.
            The reshuffle at the break had seen Niall Savage moved to midfield were he has playing well and he signified this with a lovely solo and flick over under pressure.
            It was not going all the visitor’s way as Castlewellan were spurred on from the middle by Eamonn Hardy who made several runs from deep to point over. In the face of this the Ballyvarley defence was resolute. Space was at a premium with no time to dwell on the ball. Sean Kennedy was impressive on the right side of the defence, sweeping up lose balls and never wasting any possession. Niall Higgins dominated at full-back, strong and assured in the tackle and Thomas Lennon and John O’Neill covered good ground, never waiting for the ball but attacking it, out infront for every one.
This miserly defence only allowed Castlewellan one more point to leave Ballyvarley a goal behind. McGovern notched the difference down to a solitary point with an exhibition in score taking, pointing one from his left and then one from the right. With the game enetering the closing stages Ballyvarley dominated yet an anxiousness infront of gaol saw them miss scoreable chances. Eventually the vital score came, when a long ball from David McGovern broke to Conor Grew to flick past the keeper to put the Reds two points ahead. More chances fell to the visitors, yet despite not taking them they never looked like letting Castlewellan back into it in the final stages.
 
FULL-TIME:      Castlewellan 1-13                Ballyvarley 2-12
 
This was an excellent team performance. The whole team raised their game and battled even harder when two players had to withdraw injured by the break. All 17 players were used and all made a vital contribution to this win. Paul O’Neill was excellent in the first half, Colin O’Neill and Jamie Murray played well while David McGovern set the standard upfront with some excellent scores from play and deadly accuracy from frees. Ciaran Connolly and Niall Savage gave inspirational performances around the middle, while Eunan McConville, Niall Higgins and Thomas Lennon were rocks at the back. Hopefully the seniors can take this form into the games ahead. Next match for the senior hurlers is an away tie against Ballycran on Tuesday 27th May.
 
Ballyvarley Team
Cathal O’Neill, Thomas Lennon, Niall Higgins, Pat McGrath, Eunan McConville (0-1), Colm O’Neill, Sean Kennedy, Paul O’Neill (0-3), Ciaran Connolly, Niall Savage (0-1), David McGovern (0-6), Colin O’Neill, Jamie Murray (1-0), Conor Grew (1-1), Stewart Cartmill. Subs: John O’Neill, Sean O’Neill.